Laser-assisted milling process
US5906459A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 25, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T409/303976
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a laser-assisted milling process at least one laser beam is directed onto the workpiece immediately upstream of the milling tool so as to heat at least one zone of the workpiece parallel to the cutting profile produced by the milling tool, and the laser beam is moved longitudinally over the workpiece in the same direction and at the rate of advance as the milling tool is moved longitudinally over the workpiece. The heated zone may be disposed immediately upstream of either or both of the points at which the cutting edge of the tool enters and exits the cutting zone of the workpiece, or it may be a zone parallel to the cutting profile and of a width equal to that of the cutting zone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.